Reversing mechanism for engines.



No. 67|,805. Patented Apr. 9, I901. H. PHILLIPS &. w. E. HUNT.

REVERSING MECHANISM FOR ENGI NESL (Application filed Jam 2, 1900. (No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet l.

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Patented Apr. 9, l90l.

H. PHILLIPS &. W. E. HUNT.

4i w \MY WWW w No. 67|,805. Patented Apr; 9, I90l.

' H. PHILLIPS &. W. E. HUNT.

REVERSING MECHANISM FOR ENGINES.

(Application filed Jan. 2, 1900.)

4 Sheets$heet 3.

V\ w QR mo I? i J\ E No. 67!,805. Patented Apr. 9, l90l.

H. PHILLIPS & w. E. HUNT.

REVERSING MECHANISM FOR ENGINES.

(Appdcation filed 3511.2, 1900.)

(No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 4.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HENRY PHILLIPS AND WILLIAM E. HUNT, OF OTTUMWA, IOWA.

REVERSING MECHANISM FOR ENGINES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 671,805, dated April 9, 1901.

Application filed January 2, 1900. Serial No. 45. .No model.)

This invention relates to a combined reversing, starting, and stopping mechanism for engines.

Heretofore it has been necessary when reversing the direction of an engine to first-operate a throttle-valve to cut ofi the supply of steam, then operate a reversing-lever for changing the position of the engine-valves, and again move the throttle-valve to admit steam to the cylinders. It is also necessary to latch the reversing-lever to retain the valveoperating mechanism in the proper operative position.

One purpose of this invention is todispense with the necessity of making more than one separate movement when the engine is to be reversed.

A further purpose of this invention is to provide means for admitting steam to a reversing-cylinder, so as to first operate the reversing-gear of the engine and in so doing open ports to admit steam to the valve-chests of said engines.

In the drawings forming a part of this specification, Figure 1 is a side elevation of the improvement. Fig. 2 is a vertical section. Fig. 3isasection on the line 3 3, Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a section on the line 4 4, Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a plan view illustrating the application of our invention to a steam-engine.

The same numerals refer to like parts in all the figures.

In the drawings, 1 indicates a casing of suitable construction, comprising a cylinder 2, a controlling-valve chamber 7, ports 10 and 11, connecting the said chamber and the cylinder, a steam-chamber 5, communicating with the cylinder by exit-openings 3 and 4:.

Working in the controlling-valve chamber is a rocking valve 8, provided with a stem and handle 9, affording a convenient means for operating the valve.

In the cylinder 2 is a piston 12, having a stem 13, and is retained in place by the usual cylinder-heads 14 and 15, the latter having a stufiing-box 16. The outer end of the pistonstem is connected to an upright arm 17 of the lifting-shaft of the reversing mechanism 17.

To the cylinder-head 14 is secured or otherwise formed a casting 18, on the end of which is a small cylinder 19. On an extension 20 of the piston-stem 13 and reciprocating in the cylinder 19 is a small piston 21. An opening or perforation 22 is formed in the piston 21, the purpose of which will be hereinafter referred to. 1

It is thought the advantages and operation of our invention will be understood by those skilled in the art to which it appertains. Suppose the parts to be in the position shown in the drawings. Steam is admitted at 23-. The valve 8 is positioned to direct steam through the passage 11 into the cylinder 2, thence through the port 4 into the chamber 5 and to the valves 6' of the engines, the respective po sitions of said valves being set at eachstroke of the piston 12. The piston 12 being longer than the distance between the ports 3 and 4 cuts ofi the supply of steam entirely when the reversing of the engine is being effected. Hence the piston in its movement performs the function of the usual throttle valve. Suppose the engine is to be reversed. The lever 9 is rocked, which positions the valve 8 so as to direct the steam through the branch passage 10, causing the piston-head 12 to move, which movement covers the port 4 and uncovers the port 3, permitting the steam to pass into the chamber5 through the pipe 6 to the slide-valves 6', as before described. At the time the piston 12 is moved under pressure of the steam the arm 17 of the reversing mechanism is rocked, which movement sets the reversing mechanism so as to cause the engine to run in a direction opposite to that hereinbefore described. In stopping the engine the valve 8 is turned so as to shut 0d the admission of steam to either of the ports 10 ll, preventing the steam being admitted to the valves 6. It must be understood in this connection that the steam in its passage to IOO the valves 6 must first pass through one of the ports of the valve 8, as clearly disclosed in Fig. 5. When the controlling-valve 8 is reversed to cut ofl the port previously communicating with the cylinder 2, a port 8' registers with said cut-0E port, forming communication with the exhaust-chamber 1 relieving the pressure from one end of the cylinder when steam is admitted to the other.

To relieve the shock as the piston 12 is moved back and forth under pressure of steam, a sufficient quantity of oil or analogous fluid is placed in the cylinder 19, forming a buffer for each stroke. The oil in the reciprocation of the piston passes through the small perforation and accommodates itself to receive the blow of the next succeeding stroke of the piston 12.

While we have described our invention in connection with steam-engines, we desire it to be understood that the apparatus is applicable to engines operated by fluid, gas, or the like.

As many minor changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of our invention, we reserve the right to the use of such changes.

Having thus fully described our invention, what we claim is- 1. A combined reversing, starting mechanism for engines, comprising a single controlling inlet-valve, a piston connected to a reversing mechanism and a piston-cylinder provided with ports leading to an engine, whereby the operation of the valve moves the piston to set the reversing-gear, and uncovers one of said ports to admit steam to the valve-chests of the engine.

2. In a combined reversing, stopping and starting mechanism, a valve, a piston connected to a reversing mechanism, a pistoncylinder provided with ports, one of said ports being opened by the piston as it reoiprocates to either extreme position to admit steam to the valve-chests of an engine.

3. In a combined reversing, stopping and starting mechanism for an engine,comprising a piston-cylinder having a valve-chamber, ports connecting the cylinder and the valvechest of an engine, and a piston connected to stopping and a reversing mechanism, whereby one of the ports is uncovered to admitsteam to the valvechest of an engine, as the piston is reciprocated, substantially as described.

4. A mechanism of the class described,oomprising a cylinder having a steam-chamber, ports connecting the cylinder and the chamber, two ports leading from the cylinder to the steam-chamber, a piston, a controllingvalve and ports for admitting steam to reciprocate the piston so as to open only one of the ports at one time, and means for cushioning the stroke of the piston, substantially as described.

5. The combination in an engine, of the valve-operating mechanism and a reversing device therefor having as elements a cylinder and piston, with a valve whereby motive fluid may be directed to either end of said cylinder, said valve also controlling the flow of motive fluid to the valve chest or chests of the engine, substantially as specified.

6. The combination in an engine, of the valve-operating mechanism and a reversing device therefor having as elements a cylinder and piston, with-a valve whereby motive fluid may be directed to either end of said cylinder, and a connection between the cylinder and the valve chest or chests of the engine whereby. motive fluid passes through said cylinder on its way. to the-engine, substantially as specified.

7. The combination in an engine, of the valve-operating mechanism and a reversing device therefor having as elements a cylinder and piston, a throttle-valve having a casing with two ports, and a valve with opening which may be moved into register with either of said ports or out of register with both, and pipe connections between said ports and the opposite ends of the reversing-cylinder and also with the valve chest or chests of the engine, substantially as specified.

In testimony whereof we affix our signatures in presence of two Witnesses.

HENRY PHILLIPS. WM. E. HUNT. Witnesses:

WM. D. STRONG, F. G. ORELUP. 

